924Board.org

[ricomartinez]

Just removed my heater core in my '81 a/c-equipped model. What a pain!! Ridiculously difficult to remove. The designer should be lashed, keel-hauled, and shot!

...But I don't want to go off on a rant. It's out now. It is leaking either where the plastic meets the aluminum core or through the aluminum core itself.

Does anyone know if these can be repaired for a reasonable cost?

Does anyone have a known good one lying around?

[ricomartinez]

Come on, somebody has to have some info which will help me out here.

Another question. Which heater cores are interchangeable with my 1981?

The part no. on the side is 321 819 031C. That doesn't match anything in my Parts Info Manual. There does seem to be some difference from the earlier and later as well as a/c and non-a/c. Does anyone know the differences?

[Zuffen]

I'll take a look and see what it for a part number and if I have one.



_________________
Bob Dodd - 924turbo@cox.net
931 1982, 944 1982 euro, 924S 1988SE, 93 968 tip 06 Silver Cayenne S, 06 Black Cayenne S

I have Way too many cars, parts for the 931,944 and 951

[Diesel]

That core is only $175 retail from the dealer. Since it's such a bitch. I'd go new instead of trying a used one. After all, after manhandling the used one out of it's donor and then horsing it into your car, it might leak too. Something to ponder....

[ricomartinez]

Yeah, but $175 is a lot of mula for a cheap bastard like me...when will I ever learn. I'm going to a radiator repair shop this afternoon to see what that will cost. And only if it is reliable!

I'm not really a fan of the stock setup, anyway. According to the Tech Section, you have to remove the hose inlet/outlet tubes prior to removing core itself. I did that. What a pain. The nuts aren't secured to the core or the tubes. I don't know how they stayed in place while I turned the bolts, but they did, lucky for me. Can't see that working on install at all.

So, is it possible to install the heater core with the inlet/outlet tubes already on?

I may see if I can get the repair shop to modify it so that I can just bring regular heater hose in through the fire wall to more easily accessable inlet/outlet tubes on the heater core.

[ricomartinez]

Diesel, what dealer did you find a heater core for $175?! Checked my 2 local who quoted $325 and $350. Ouch!

The repair shop told me $175 is worth it for new. Repairing wouldn't be worth the risk of soon having to re-replace. Told me that if they are high-priced, he can build one. But he doesn't like that route because of unforseen stuff that pops up, which can then snowball.

[Diesel]

I just looked up the part number you gave up top. I've got a parts price book.

[ricomartinez]

Diesel or anyone else, where can I get the heater core for closer to the $175 vice my local $325-350?

[wdb]

you might consider using a cheaper core from another kind of car that is smaller than original and use hose clamps ,high temp silicone,or frame made from plywood to secure it in place.a plumbing shop or home improvement center will have adapters if the inlet etc is not the same size.or maybe a radiator from a water cooled motorcycle would do.be creative,just make sure the joints will hold up to the 12-15 psi of the radiator cap

[ricomartinez]

I considered those, but made a breakthrough with a recommendation from one of the online radiator specialists. They asked if I checked with AJ-USA right here in San Diego. I hadn't since I thought they were way high-priced when I looked there for BMW 2002 parts way back. I was wrong.

They got me a replacement for $69!!! It is a replacement part, so it is a little different. Doesn't have that stupid bolt-on inlet/outlet piece. On the negative side, the inlet outlet aren't as long and don't stick through the firewall. Thus, the stock heater hoses aren't long enough to reach in and connect. I'll have to rig a little something, but I'm fully confident I can do it relatively easily. Hmm, $350 or $69?

Anyway, look at AJ-USA online. They don't have a lot for our cars, but most of it seems reasonable.